Etymology-wise, what poison is a
fair lady?
Etymology, Etymology, and more Etymology
as well as grammar, usage, euphemism, slang, jargon, semantics (meaning), linguistics, neologism, idiom, word origin, syntax, dialect, lexicon (vocabulary), diction, pidgin, synonym, antonym, homonym, cant, argot, lingo, and redundancy.
The critically-acclaimed board game
MooT
consists of tough questions about the nuances of the English language.
Answer:
belladonna
The name belladonna - which denotes the deadly poison
nightshade - means "fair lady" in Italian.
Belladonna was once used as a cosmetic because small doses cause the pupils to
dilate, thus making the lady's eyes sparkle.
Please note that these are draft questions for the board game MooT.
If you spot an error or disagree with anything I've said here,
please let me know and I'll fix it.
(the Mootguy)
Feedback
And, by the way, Cleopatra is said to have used it. In addition to
dilating the eyes, it has other anti-parasympathetic nervous system effects
-including dryness of certain mucosal membranes...
x-belstrauss@yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________
Isn't it useful in small doses as some sort of potion? I'd assume
it'd be an aphrodisiac, as it makes a woman more appealing, what with the
dilated pupils and all.
x-bapada@aol.com
______________________________________________________________
Copyright 1998-2008 Blair Arts Ltd. All rights reserved.